A junior hockey rivalry between two neighbouring towns that officially dates back to 1971 will be revisited when the Blind River Beavers and Elliot Lake Wildcats face off this weekend.

The Beavers and Wildcats will meet in a best-of-three, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, preliminary-round series.

All games will be played at Blind River Community Centre as Elliot Lake’s home venue, Centennial Arena, remains closed.

Game 1 is slated for Friday night at 7:00 before the two sides meet again on Sunday afternoon in a 2:00 start.

Elliot Lake will serve as the home team for Game 2.

Should the series go the distance, Game 3 is slated for next Monday at 7 p.m.

Blind River finished in fourth place in the West Division during the 2018-2019 regular season with 57 points from a record of 25-24-7. Elliot Lake placed fifth in the West with 45 points from a record of 21-32-3.

The winner of the series will advance to meet the no. 1 seed Soo Thunderbirds in a best-of-seven, West Division semi-final.

No. 2 seed Rayside Balfour Canadians and no. 3 seed Soo Eagles will face off in the other West Division semi-final.